David Tesmer obituary

David Edward Tesmer, 75, of rural Zumbro Falls, Minnesota passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at his home with his family by his side.
David was born August 18, 1950, in Lake City, Minnesota to Edward and Lorraine (Hoffman) Tesmer. He graduated from Millville – Elgin High School in 1968. David went on to serve his country in the US Air Force from June 12, 1969, to June 8, 1973, as a Staff Sergeant during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge he went back to school and completed an apprenticeship as a journeyman sheet metal worker graduating in 1977.
On June 4, 1983, he married the love of his life, Catherine “Kitty” Grutzik in Rochester. They made their home in rural Zumbro Falls where they raised their five children.
David was employed as a sheet metal worker for HiMEC Mechanical, retiring in 2013 after working 40 years in the HVAC industry. In his free time David enjoyed golfing, farming, restoring vehicles, going to auctions, watching mystery movies and British comedies, public radio, and home-cooked meals. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of golfing, farming, car and tractor repair with his children and spending time with his family, friends, and neighbors. David lived in England while in the Air Force and enjoyed British entertainment along with using terms he picked up while living there including “Ta,” meaning thank you. His unique sense of humor and jokes will be missed. A beloved catch phrase commonly used at the dinner table was, “I won’t eat it if the cats won’t.”
David is survived by his loving wife of 42+ years, Kitty Tesmer of Zumbro Falls; his sons, Jacob “Jack” Tesmer of Zumbro Falls, Theodore “Ted” Tesmer of Crystal Springs, Pennsylvania; his daughters, Joan (Caleb) Diercks of Phoenix, Arizona, and Carol Tesmer of Minneapolis; a sister, Donna Golembeski of Huntington Beach, California; and a brother, Randy Tesmer of Gleason, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Tesmer; parents, Edward and Lorraine Tesmer; and his sister, Susan “Sue” Tesmer.
The Celebration of Life Gathering for David will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, at the Zumbro Falls VFW. The burial for David will be at Dale Pleasant Prairie Cemetery prior to the gathering at 11 a.m.
Family requests live plants instead of flowers as memorials.
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel.  Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.